Sister Irma Arnold

In recognition of the Year of Consecrated Life, The Message will be publishing profiles of religious who are serving in the Diocese of Evansville.

Name: Sister Irma Arnold

Hometown: Evansville

Religious order: Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Ind.

Years in Community: 50

What are the charisms of your order?

Our Franciscan charisms are living simply, focusing on Gospel poverty, with special care and concern for the poor and forgotten. Connecting daily with God though prayer and contemplation, and being ever grateful for the wonders of all creation and especially his people.

Why were you drawn to this order?

I was taught by the Franciscan Sisters and they were a lot of fun. They were kind, funny and they made me feel like I was important to them. My sister joined the order before me and I followed in her footsteps because it just seemed to fit with what God wanted of me. I’m glad I did because I have had the time of my life. I was right. The Sisters are kind and a lot of fun to be around.

How have you personally made the connection to the charisms of your order?

I seek to live a life very connected to God. I see God in the world around me and in the children I teach.

I have come to see the joy in living simply and depending on God knowing that he will provide for me.

I truly love teaching children but the greatest times are during Religion class when I get to tell stories of Jesus and God’s great love for them. My “Jesus Times” are the best times for in order to love Jesus they have to know him.

If someone was considering your order as they discern a call to religious life, how would you describe the strengths of your order?

We are a joyful Franciscan community. We are grateful for the times we get to spend with each other as we share the joys and sorrows of our ministries. We seek to serve God in any way that He needs us. We do have special concern for the poor and many of our ministries are in this area. We also have some Sisters who teach and work in parishes and when help is needed we are there to lend a hand.

We spend time in prayer as well as party; both are needed in our lives for Jesus prayed and ate and visited friends also. To be like Jesus we need to know Him as the Gospels show Him to us. He is a friend and we follow in His footsteps. My Franciscan Sisters are doing all they can to walk in the footsteps of Jesus with joy.